Hi BigJay: no offence intended and none taken.

I was just pointing out that people usually wildly underestimate the cost of guitar finishing, I guess because it's not a discrete item you can buy in bag from a shelf. Turns out, I underestimated that cost myself in my first figure of $40 - 50.

Obviously, a huge maker such as Fender gets enormous reductions on the bulk purchases they make from the paint manufacturers. And the same goes for hardware. However, all the small makers out there have to buy at street prices. I once read an interview with Roger Giffin where he lamented that he had to buy bridges, tuners and the rest for exactly the same price as the rest of us. He's a very top end luthier with a fascinating career story, well worth reading about at his website:

http://www.giffinguitars.com/

What goes for him goes for all "professional" guitar builders out there, apart from the major manufacturers. No discounts available - I know, I've tried!

(BTW: regarding luthier's fees - I have never charged anyone a fee for anything guitar related. I'm merely an over-enthusiastic amateur. Though one who does shop hard for the best price...)

Cheers - C

My prices that was using were dealer selling prices not Ebay because more people buy such things from dealers not Ebay. To be honest I will not buy anything from ebay because to many jokers ripping people off. Things like the Fat 50's I Have bought new myself for 160.00 from a dealer but the average joe wont get that price. The only reason I do is the place that I buy from got me for at least 6000. last year and I do some work for them as well. Then theres place like Angela's who does use ebay but also has a on line store and a front that also hooks me up on NOS stuff. But no Ebay for me.
And yes I still have that box and I could slap another pickup in there and call it a Fat 50 and sell it for 147.00 like HD---- on Ebay not saying thats what there doing but there are some who do. And the dealing whith getting your 147.00 back from these none Fender authorized dealers And things like bodies most people dont have the talent, skill and tools that Ceri has if they would have got the body he bought from someone they would have been stuck with a piece of junk. And having the right tools is a big part of it when it comes to some guitar repairs and mods. Just my Fluke meters set me back over 300. a piece.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

WOW! this has turned into quite the discussion. My main intent in asking the question was to gauge actual cash value versus the convenience of taking it out of the box (already customized) and letting rip.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

I always opt for buying exactly what I want to begin with instead of buying and immediately start modding.
I am thoroughly enjoying the discussions on this thread though!

Fluke and Amprobe make some of the best meters you can get and they come in handy when working on guitars and amps. For guitar and amps I will use my Fluke multi meters when needed. The only Amprobe meters I have are a 800amp clamp and a thing they call a ticker for tracing a circut but there for commercial applications and small stuff.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson